H.R. 2406 — what changed

changed This Act may be cited as the “Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act of 2015” Act” or the “SHARE Act”.

changed This title may be cited as the “Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act of 2015”.Act”.

Section 104(c)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1374(c)(5)(D)) is amended to read as follows:

“(D)

“(i) The Secretary of the Interior shall, expeditiously after the expiration of the applicable 30-day period under subsection (d)(2), issue a permit for the importation of any polar bear part (other than an internal organ) from a polar bear taken in a sport hunt in Canada to any person—

“(I) who submits, with the permit application, proof that the polar bear was legally harvested by the person before February 18, 1997; or

“(II) who has submitted, in support of a permit application submitted before May 15, 2008, proof that the polar bear was legally harvested by the person before May 15, 2008, from a polar bear population from which a sport-hunted trophy could be imported before that date in accordance with section 18.30(i) of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(ii) The Secretary shall issue permits under clause (i)(I) without regard to subparagraphs (A) and (C)(ii) of this paragraph, subsection (d)(3), and sections 101 and 102. Sections 101(a)(3)(B) and 102(b)(3) shall not apply to the importation of any polar bear part authorized by a permit issued under clause (i)(I). This clause shall not apply to polar bear parts that were imported before June 12, 1997.

changed “(iii) The Secretary shall issue permits under clause (i)(II) without regard to subparagraph (C)(ii) of this paragraph or subsection (d)(3). Sections 101(a)(3)(B) and 102(b)(3) shall not apply to the importation of any polar bear part authorized by a permit issued under clause (i)(II). This clause shall not apply to polar bear parts that were imported before the date of enactment of the Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act of 2015.”Act.”

changed This title may be cited as the “Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act of 2015”.Act”.

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“10. Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee

“(a) Establishment—There is hereby established the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the Advisory Committee) to advise the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on wildlife and habitat conservation, hunting, and recreational shooting.

“(b) Continuance and abolishment of existing wildlife and hunting heritage conservation council—The Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council established pursuant to section 441 of the Revised Statutes (43 U.S.C. 1457), section 2 of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a), and other Acts applicable to specific bureaus of the Department of the Interior—

“(1) shall continue until the date of the first meeting of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council established by the amendment made by subsection (a); and

“(2) is hereby abolished effective on that date.

“(c) Duties of the advisory committee—The Advisory Committee shall advise the Secretaries with regard to—

“(1) implementation of Executive Order No. 13443: Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation, which directs Federal agencies “to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities and the management of game species and their habitat”;

“(2) policies or programs to conserve and restore wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, forest, and rangeland habitats;

“(3) policies or programs to promote opportunities and access to hunting and shooting sports on Federal lands;

“(4) policies or programs to recruit and retain new hunters and shooters;

“(5) policies or programs that increase public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and the social and economic benefits of recreational hunting and shooting; and

“(6) policies or programs that encourage coordination among the public, the hunting and shooting sports community, wildlife conservation groups, and States, tribes, and the Federal Government.

“(d) Membership

“(1) Appointment

changed “(A) In general—The Advisory Committee shall consist of no more than 16 discretionary members and 7 8 ex officio members.

“(B) Ex officio members—The ex officio members are—

“(i) the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or a designated representative of the Director;

“(ii) the Director of the Bureau of Land Management or a designated representative of the Director;

“(iii) the Director of the National Park Service or a designated representative of the Director;

“(iv) the Chief of the Forest Service or a designated representative of the Chief;

“(v) the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service or a designated representative of the Chief;

changed “(vi) the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency or a designated representative of the Administrator; andAdministrator;

changed “(vii) the Executive Director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.Agencies; and

added “(viii) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration or designated representative.

“(C) Discretionary members—The discretionary members shall be appointed jointly by the Secretaries from at least one of each of the following:

“(i) State fish and wildlife agencies.

“(ii) Game bird hunting organizations.

“(iii) Wildlife conservation organizations.

“(iv) Big game hunting organizations.

“(v) Waterfowl hunting organizations.

“(vi) The tourism, outfitter, or guiding industry.

“(vii) The firearms or ammunition manufacturing industry.

“(viii) The hunting or shooting equipment retail industry.

“(ix) Tribal resource management organizations.

“(x) The agriculture industry.

“(xi) The ranching industry.

“(xii) Women’s hunting and fishing advocacy, outreach, or education organization.

“(xiii) Minority hunting and fishing advocacy, outreach, or education organization.

“(xiv) Veterans service organization.

“(D) Eligibility—Prior to the appointment of the discretionary members, the Secretaries shall determine that all individuals nominated for appointment to the Advisory Committee, and the organization each individual represents, actively support and promote sustainable-use hunting, wildlife conservation, and recreational shooting.

“(2) Terms

“(A) In general—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), members of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a term of 4 years. Members shall not be appointed for more than 3 consecutive or nonconsecutive terms.

“(B) Terms of initial appointees—As designated by the Secretary at the time of appointment, of the members first appointed—

“(i) 6 members shall be appointed for a term of 4 years;

“(ii) 5 members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years; and

“(iii) 5 members shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.

“(3) Preservation of public advisory status—No individual may be appointed as a discretionary member of the Advisory Committee while serving as an officer or employee of the Federal Government.

“(4) Vacancy and removal

“(A) In general—Any vacancy on the Advisory Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.

“(B) Removal—Advisory Committee members shall serve at the discretion of the Secretaries and may be removed at any time for good cause.

“(5) Continuation of service—Each appointed member may continue to serve after the expiration of the term of office to which such member was appointed until a successor has been appointed.

“(6) Chairperson—The Chairperson of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a 3-year term by the Secretaries, jointly, from among the members of the Advisory Committee. An individual may not be appointed as Chairperson for more than 2 consecutive or nonconsecutive terms.

“(7) Pay and expenses—Members of the Advisory Committee shall serve without pay for such service, but each member of the Advisory Committee may be reimbursed for travel and lodging incurred through attending meetings of the Advisory Committee approved subgroup meetings in the same amounts and under the same conditions as Federal employees (in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code).

“(8) Meetings

“(A) In general—The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the Secretaries, the chairperson, or a majority of the members, but not less frequently than twice annually.

“(B) Open meetings—Each meeting of the Advisory Committee shall be open to the public.

“(C) Prior notice of meetings—Timely notice of each meeting of the Advisory Committee shall be published in the Federal Register and be submitted to trade publications and publications of general circulation.

“(D) Subgroups—The Advisory Committee may establish such workgroups or subgroups as it deems necessary for the purpose of compiling information or conducting research. However, such workgroups may not conduct business without the direction of the Advisory Committee and must report in full to the Advisory Committee.

“(9) Quorum—Nine members of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum.

“(e) Expenses—The expenses of the Advisory Committee that the Secretaries determine to be reasonable and appropriate shall be paid by the Secretaries.

“(f) Administrative support, technical services, and advice—A designated Federal Officer shall be jointly appointed by the Secretaries to provide to the Advisory Committee the administrative support, technical services, and advice that the Secretaries determine to be reasonable and appropriate.

“(g) Annual report

“(1) Required—Not later than September 30 of each year, the Advisory Committee shall submit a report to the Secretaries, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. If circumstances arise in which the Advisory Committee cannot meet the September 30 deadline in any year, the Secretaries shall advise the Chairpersons of each such Committee of the reasons for such delay and the date on which the submission of the report is anticipated.

“(2) Contents—The report required by paragraph (1) shall describe—

“(A) the activities of the Advisory Committee during the preceding year;

“(B) the reports and recommendations made by the Advisory Committee to the Secretaries during the preceding year; and

“(C) an accounting of actions taken by the Secretaries as a result of the recommendations.

“(h) Federal advisory committee act—The Advisory Committee shall be exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).”

“101513. Hunter access corridors

“(a) Definitions—In this section:

“(1) Not ready for immediate use—The term not ready for immediate use means—

“(A) a bow or crossbow, the arrows of which are secured or stowed in a quiver or other arrow transport case; and

“(B) with respect to a crossbow, uncocked.

“(2) Valid hunting license—The term valid hunting license means a State-issued hunting license that authorizes an individual to hunt on private or public land adjacent to the System unit in which the individual is located while in possession of a bow or crossbow that is not ready for immediate use.

“(b) Transportation authorized

“(1) In general—The Director shall not require a permit for, or promulgate or enforce any regulation that prohibits an individual from transporting bows and crossbows that are not ready for immediate use across any System unit if—

“(A) in the case of an individual traversing the System unit on foot—

“(i) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the bows and crossbows;

“(ii) the bows or crossbows are not ready for immediate use throughout the period during which the bows or crossbows are transported across the System unit;

“(iii) the possession of the bows and crossbows is in compliance with the law of the State in which the System unit is located; and

“(iv)

“(I) the individual possesses a valid hunting license;

“(II) the individual is traversing the System unit en route to a hunting access corridor established under subsection (c)(1); or

“(III) the individual is traversing the System unit in compliance with any other applicable regulations or policies; or

“(B) the bows or crossbows are not ready for immediate use and remain inside a vehicle.

“(2) Enforcement—Nothing in this subsection limits the authority of the Director to enforce laws (including regulations) prohibiting hunting or the taking of wildlife in any System unit.

“(c) Establishment of hunter access corridors

“(1) In general—On a determination by the Director under paragraph (2), the Director may establish and publish (in accordance with section 1.5 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)), on a publicly available map, hunter access corridors across System units that are used to access public land that is—

“(A) contiguous to a System unit; and

“(B) open to hunting.

“(2) Determination by director—The determination referred to in paragraph (1) is a determination that the hunter access corridor would provide wildlife management or visitor experience benefits within the boundary of the System unit in which the hunter access corridor is located.

“(3) Hunting season—The hunter access corridors shall be open for use during hunting seasons.

changed “(4) Exception—The Director may establish limited periods during which access through the hunter access corridors is closed for reasons of public safety, administration, or compliance with applicable law.law. Such closures shall be clearly marked with signs and dates of closures, and shall not include gates, chains, walls, or other barriers on the hunter access corridor.

“(5) Identification of corridors—The Director shall—

“(A) make information regarding hunter access corridors available on the individual website of the applicable System unit; and

“(B) provide information regarding any processes established by the Director for transporting legally taken game through individual hunter access corridors.

“(6) Registration; transportation of game—The Director may—

“(A) provide registration boxes to be located at the trailhead of each hunter access corridor for self-registration;

“(B) provide a process for online self-registration; and

“(C) allow nonmotorized conveyances to transport legally taken game through a hunter access corridor established under this subsection, including game carts and sleds.

“(7) Consultation with States—The Director shall consult with each applicable State wildlife agency to identify appropriate hunter access corridors.

“(d) Effect—Nothing in this section—

“(1) diminishes, enlarges, or modifies any Federal or State authority with respect to recreational hunting, recreational shooting, or any other recreational activities within the boundaries of a System unit; or

“(2) authorizes—

“(A) the establishment of new trails in System units; or

“(B) authorizes individuals to access areas in System units, on foot or otherwise, that are not open to such access.

“(e) No major Federal action

“(1) In general—Any action taken under this section shall not be considered a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

“(2) No additional action required—No additional identification, analyses, or consideration of environmental effects (including cumulative environmental effects) is necessary or required with respect to an action taken under this section.”

changed This title may be cited as the “Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act Reauthorization of 2015”.Reauthorization”.

The Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act is amended—

“(1) to complete appraisals and satisfy other legal requirements for the sale or exchange of public land identified for disposal under approved land use plans under section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712);

changed “(2) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act Reauthorization of 2015, Reauthorization, to establish and make available to the public, on the website of the Department of the Interior, a database containing a comprehensive list of all the land referred to in paragraph (1); and

“(3) to maintain the database referred to in paragraph (2).”

“(1) Use of Funds

changed “(A) In general—Funds in the Federal Land Disposal Account shall be expended expended, subject to appropriation, in accordance with this subsection.

“(B) Purposes—Except as authorized under paragraph (2), funds in the Federal Land Disposal Account shall be used for one or more of the following purposes:

“(i) To purchase lands or interests therein that are otherwise authorized by law to be acquired and are one or more of the following:

“(I) Inholdings.

“(II) Adjacent to federally designated areas and contain exceptional resources.

“(III) Provide opportunities for hunting, recreational fishing, recreational shooting, and other recreational activities.

“(IV) Likely to aid in the performance of deferred maintenance or the reduction of operation and maintenance costs or other deferred costs.

“(ii) To perform deferred maintenance or other maintenance activities that enhance opportunities for recreational access.”

“(D) Any funds made available under subparagraph (C) that are not obligated or expended by the end of the fourth full fiscal year after the date of the sale or exchange of land that generated the funds may be expended in any State.”

“(B) the extent to which the acquisition of the land or interest therein will increase the public availability of resources for, and facilitate public access to, hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities;”

“(2) any remaining balance in the account shall be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction, except that in the case of a fiscal year for which there is no Federal budget deficit, such amounts shall be used to reduce the Federal debt (in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury considers appropriate).”

“(3) the White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–432; 120 Stat. 3028);

“(4) the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–424; 118 Stat. 2403);

“(5) subtitle F of title I of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 111–11);

“(6) subtitle O of title I of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 460www note, 1132 note; Public Law 111–11);

“(7) section 2601 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–11; 123 Stat. 1108); or

“(8) section 2606 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–11; 123 Stat. 1121).”

changed This title may be cited as the “African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015”.Act”.

Part I (16 U.S.C. 4211 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

changed “2105. Placement of United States Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement officer officers in each African elephant range country

changed “The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of State, may station one United States Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement officer officers in the primary United States diplomatic or consular post in each African country that has a significant population of African elephants, who shall assist local wildlife rangers in the protection of African elephants and facilitate the apprehension of individuals who illegally kill, or assist the illegal killing of, African elephants.”

added “(3) Special rules for film crews of 5 persons or fewer

added “(A) Definition of film crew—In this paragraph, the term film crew means any persons present on Federal land or waterways under the jurisdiction of the Secretary who are associated with the production of a film.

added “(B) Required permit and fee—For any film crew of 5 persons or fewer, the Secretary shall require a permit and assess an annual fee of $200 for commercial filming activities or similar projects on Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary.

added “(C) Commercial filming activities—A permit issued under subparagraph (B) shall be valid for commercial filming activities or similar projects that occur in areas designated for public use during public hours on all Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary for a 1-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the permit.

added “(D) No additional fees—For persons holding a permit issued under this paragraph, during the effective period of the permit, the Secretary shall not assess any fees in addition to the fee assessed under subparagraph (B).

added “(E) Use of cameras—The Secretary shall not prohibit, as a mechanized apparatus or under any other purposes, use of cameras or related equipment used for the purpose of commercial filming activities or similar projects in accordance with this paragraph on Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary.

added “(F) Notification required—A film crew of 5 persons or fewer subject to a permit issued under this paragraph shall notify the applicable land management agency with jurisdiction over the Federal land at least 48 hours before entering the Federal land.

added “(G) Denial of access—The head of the applicable land management agency may deny access to a film crew under this paragraph if—

added “(i) there is a likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated;

added “(ii) there would be an unreasonable disruption of the use and enjoyment of the site by the public;

added “(iii) the activity poses health or safety risks to the public; or

added “(iv) the filming includes the use of models or props that are not part of the natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities of the Federal land.”

added “(3) Special rules for film crews of 5 persons or fewer

added “(A) Definition of film crew—In this paragraph, the term film crew means any persons present on Federal land or waterways under the jurisdiction of the Secretary who are associated with the production of a film.

added “(B) Required permit and fee—For any film crew of 5 persons or fewer, the Secretary shall require a permit and assess an annual fee of $200 for commercial filming activities or similar projects on Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary.

added “(C) Commercial filming activities—A permit issued under subparagraph (B) shall be valid for commercial filming activities or similar projects that occur in areas designated for public use during public hours on all Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary for a 1-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the permit.

added “(D) No additional fees—For persons holding a permit issued under this paragraph, during the effective period of the permit, the Secretary shall not assess any fees in addition to the fee assessed under subparagraph (B).

added “(E) Use of cameras—The Secretary shall not prohibit, as a mechanized apparatus or under any other purposes, use of cameras or related equipment used for the purpose of commercial filming activities or similar projects in accordance with this paragraph on Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary.

added “(F) Notification required—A film crew of 5 persons or fewer subject to a permit issued under this paragraph shall notify the applicable land management agency with jurisdiction over the Federal land at least 48 hours before entering the Federal land.

added “(G) Denial of access—The head of the applicable land management agency may deny access to a film crew under this paragraph if—

added “(i) there is a likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated;

added “(ii) there would be an unreasonable disruption of the use and enjoyment of the site by the public;

added “(iii) the activity poses health or safety risks to the public; or

added “(iv) the filming includes the use of models or props that are not part of the natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities of the Federal land.”

removed Section 3(b)(2)(C) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669b(b)(2)(C)) is amended by striking “2016” and inserting “2026”.

removed “(3) Special rules for film crews of 5 persons or fewer

removed “(A) Definition of film crew—In this paragraph, the term film crew means any persons present on Federal land or waterways under the jurisdiction of the Secretary who are associated with the production of a film.

removed “(B) Required permit and fee—For any film crew of 5 persons or fewer, the Secretary shall require a permit and assess an annual fee of $200 for commercial filming activities or similar projects on Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary.

removed “(C) Commercial filming activities—A permit issued under subparagraph (B) shall be valid for commercial filming activities or similar projects that occur in areas designated for public use during public hours on all Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary for a 1-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the permit.

removed “(D) No additional fees—For persons holding a permit issued under this paragraph, during the effective period of the permit, the Secretary shall not assess any fees in addition to the fee assessed under subparagraph (B).

removed “(E) Use of cameras—The Secretary shall not prohibit, as a mechanized apparatus or under any other purposes, use of cameras or related equipment used for the purpose of commercial filming activities or similar projects in accordance with this paragraph on Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary.

removed “(F) Notification required—A film crew of 5 persons or fewer subject to a permit issued under this paragraph shall notify the applicable land management agency with jurisdiction over the Federal land at least 48 hours before entering the Federal land.

removed “(G) Denial of access—The head of the applicable land management agency may deny access to a film crew under this paragraph if—

removed “(i) there is a likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated;

removed “(ii) there would be an unreasonable disruption of the use and enjoyment of the site by the public;

removed “(iii) the activity poses health or safety risks to the public; or

removed “(iv) the filming includes the use of models or props that are not part of the natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities of the Federal land.”

removed “(3) Special rules for film crews of 5 persons or fewer

removed “(A) Definition of film crew—In this paragraph, the term film crew means any persons present on Federal land or waterways under the jurisdiction of the Secretary who are associated with the production of a film.

removed “(B) Required permit and fee—For any film crew of 5 persons or fewer, the Secretary shall require a permit and assess an annual fee of $200 for commercial filming activities or similar projects on Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary.

removed “(C) Commercial filming activities—A permit issued under subparagraph (B) shall be valid for commercial filming activities or similar projects that occur in areas designated for public use during public hours on all Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary for a 1-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the permit.

removed “(D) No additional fees—For persons holding a permit issued under this paragraph, during the effective period of the permit, the Secretary shall not assess any fees in addition to the fee assessed under subparagraph (B).

removed “(E) Use of cameras—The Secretary shall not prohibit, as a mechanized apparatus or under any other purposes, use of cameras or related equipment used for the purpose of commercial filming activities or similar projects in accordance with this paragraph on Federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary.

removed “(F) Notification required—A film crew of 5 persons or fewer subject to a permit issued under this paragraph shall notify the applicable land management agency with jurisdiction over the Federal land at least 48 hours before entering the Federal land.

removed “(G) Denial of access—The head of the applicable land management agency may deny access to a film crew under this paragraph if—

removed “(i) there is a likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated;

removed “(ii) there would be an unreasonable disruption of the use and enjoyment of the site by the public;

removed “(iii) the activity poses health or safety risks to the public; or

removed “(iv) the filming includes the use of models or props that are not part of the natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities of the Federal land.”

added In this title:

changed In this title:This title may be cited as the “Grand Canyon Bison Management Act”.

added In this title:

changed This title may be cited as the “Grand Canyon Bison Management “Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act”.

added “(e)

added “(1) The Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States, after consultation with the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, shall report to the Congress, not later than March 31 of each year through the 6th calendar year beginning after the initial report under this subsection is submitted, on the amount of fees and other expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to this section. The report shall describe the number, nature, and amount of the awards, the claims involved in the controversy, and any other relevant information that may aid the Congress in evaluating the scope and impact of such awards. The report shall be made available to the public online.

added “(2)

added “(A) The report required by paragraph (1) shall account for all payments of fees and other expenses awarded under this section that are made pursuant to a settlement agreement, regardless of whether the settlement agreement is sealed or otherwise subject to nondisclosure provisions.

added “(B) The disclosure of fees and other expenses required under subparagraph (A) does not affect any other information that is subject to nondisclosure provisions in the settlement agreement.

added “(f) The Chairman of the Administrative Conference shall create and maintain, during the period beginning on the date the initial report under subsection (e) is submitted and ending one year after the date on which the final report under that subsection is submitted, online a searchable database containing the following information with respect to each award of fees and other expenses under this section:

added “(1) The case name and number of the adversary adjudication, if available.

added “(2) The name of the agency involved in the adversary adjudication.

added “(3) A description of the claims in the adversary adjudication.

added “(4) The name of each party to whom the award was made, as such party is identified in the order or other agency document making the award.

added “(5) The amount of the award.

added “(6) The basis for the finding that the position of the agency concerned was not substantially justified.

added “(g) The online searchable database described in subsection (f) may not reveal any information the disclosure of which is prohibited by law or court order.

added “(h) The head of each agency shall provide to the Chairman of the Administrative Conference in a timely manner all information requested by the Chairman to comply with the requirements of subsections (e), (f), and (g).”

removed In this title:

added “(5)

added “(A) The Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States shall submit to the Congress, not later than March 31 of each year through the 6th calendar year beginning after the initial report under this paragraph is submitted, a report on the amount of fees and other expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to this subsection. The report shall describe the number, nature, and amount of the awards, the claims involved in each controversy, and any other relevant information that may aid the Congress in evaluating the scope and impact of such awards. The report shall be made available to the public online.

added “(B)

added “(i) The report required by subparagraph (A) shall account for all payments of fees and other expenses awarded under this subsection that are made pursuant to a settlement agreement, regardless of whether the settlement agreement is sealed or otherwise subject to nondisclosure provisions.

added “(ii) The disclosure of fees and other expenses required under clause (i) does not affect any other information that is subject to nondisclosure provisions in the settlement agreement.

added “(C) The Chairman of the Administrative Conference shall include and clearly identify in the annual report under subparagraph (A), for each case in which an award of fees and other expenses is included in the report—

added “(i) any amounts paid from section 1304 of title 31 for a judgment in the case;

added “(ii) the amount of the award of fees and other expenses; and

added “(iii) the statute under which the plaintiff filed suit.

added “(6) The Chairman of the Administrative Conference shall create and maintain, during the period beginning on the date the initial report under paragraph (5) is submitted and ending one year after the date on which the final report under that paragraph is submitted, online a searchable database containing the following information with respect to each award of fees and other expenses under this subsection:

added “(A) The case name and number.

added “(B) The name of the agency involved in the case.

added “(C) The name of each party to whom the award was made, as such party is identified in the order or other court document making the award.

added “(D) A description of the claims in the case.

added “(E) The amount of the award.

added “(F) The basis for the finding that the position of the agency concerned was not substantially justified.

added “(7) The online searchable database described in paragraph (6) may not reveal any information the disclosure of which is prohibited by law or court order.

added “(8) The head of each agency (including the Attorney General of the United States) shall provide to the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States in a timely manner all information requested by the Chairman to comply with the requirements of paragraphs (5), (6), and (7).”